Another forward tilt hold down question

[Coastalman]

I know there have been many ideas on how to hold the forward tilt bonnet down. I ordered the Pegasus rubber hold downs, but do not like the look. Has anyone used the Spitfire bonnet latches? If so, what are the pros and cons? They appear to fit snuggly into the side of the bonnet.
Thanks,
Charlie

 

[bugimike]

I am in the process of fitting Spitfire hold-downs! I've only got one installed right now, and the fairing in is not done, but I eliminated the rubber hold-downs and really like how it is coming along (still have a ways to go though)!! Nice, positive latch!

 

[Coastalman]

Mike,
You are going the same route as me. I bought the exact same hold downs and do not like them. Please let me know exactly what you are doing to install the Spitfire latches. I am sure others on the forum will be interested as well. Pictures are very welcome!
Thanks,
Charlie

 

[TexasSprite]

Here is another way of keeping the hood down. Note the hole in the middle of the circular plate in the corner of the picture. That mates with a shaft welded to the brace on the back right and left corners of the hood. The shafts have holes in them to take a spring pin after the hood is closed. The only other thing I plan to do is to use a couple of Druz fasteners to hold the hood flush to the body

 

[Pythias]

I've also seen Dzus fasteners used... elegant solution

 

[bugimike]

I have a fiberglass bonnet, so the option of welding bits to it were out! I did consider Dzuz(?sp) fasteners and hood pins, but I like the "Spit" latches and they offer a nice, positive hold-down! I am not crazy about the screws on each side of the latch but I can live with them, and if I had a metal bonnet I would have considered welding the mounting brackets to it. Remember, a word of warning, if you are attaching some kind of hold-down through the top of the bonnet, rather than the sides, the sides do have a tendency to "splay out" sometimes! I will post a couple more pix of my install!
Here is a picture of the hardware used, the latches were purchased off ebay and the U-bolts came from Home Depot!